¶ … Planning Summary Family

Hritek is a 14-year-old boy who is psychologically impaired by Asperger's. He is the only child of Abdon (father, male), aged 41 and Padma (mother, female), aged 39. Abdon is a college graduate who works for a biotech company. His mother is a high school graduate and does not work. She serves as the primary caregiver for Hritek since she and Abdon divorced.

Reason for Referral

Hritek's mother has presented Hritek because he cries uncontrollably when asked to do something he does not want to do, reads about murder stories on the Internet, fantasizes about killing people, and throws wild hysterics in order to avoid leaving the house.

Relevant history

Hritek's academic performance was so poor that he was going to be held back a year in 6th grade, but his mother decided to home school him so as to avoid that. Since then, his grades have not improved at home. His behavior is very introverted and he often goes into hysterics when he is asked to leave the house and mingle with the public in the chess club that his mother wants him to be part of at the local high school.

Since his parents' divorce when he was 11, Hritek has become morose and unsocial. He told his psychologist that his parents hated each other and that he hated them. His dad is not around and has moved to another city. His mother is overprotective but does not know how to handle Hritek anymore.

Their ethnicity is Indian. Hritek's parents are from Mumbai, but Hritek was born in America. He speaks both English and Hindi fluently but is embarrassed by his Indian ethnicity.

Analysis

1. Hritek

While it is appropriate for teens to sulk and become moody, Hritek's hysterics and unsocial behavior are abnormal and indicate that he may be clinically depressed, as he states that he has not been happy ever and that...

Hritek was diagnosed with Asperger's by his previous psychologist but refused to take medicine for treatment and his parents did not force it. Hritek is attached to his computer and does not ever want to leave it. The effects of his parents' divorce and his lack of a role model in his life has allowed Hritek to close off from the world. He may present a danger to himself or others as he fantasizes about death and killing.
2. The caregiver

Padma is experiencing difficulty controlling Hritek and giving him guidance. He does not do his schoolwork for her anymore and she is afraid to send him back to school.

The family strengths are few: Padma is too overprotective and his father is not around to help. Padma needs assistance in rearing Hritek but cannot find it outside the home. Her presentation to the clinic is her last hope.

Assessment

Hritek does not suffer from physical abuse but he does show signs of psychological depression and morbidity. His mother performs the basic tasks of providing for his shelter, but the Developmental Task area is lacking and the Hazardous Task area is a danger.

There is also a gap between what the child needs and what the mother can provide. He is not receptive to her ideas and refuses to cooperate with her anymore. She has to coax and plead and beg for days before she can get him to do anything that she wants him to do. It is very trying and she fears for her own sanity at times.

The level of risk for the two is high. It may be necessary to remove the child from the home if a suitable intervention cannot be achieved.

The intervention should begin with Family Therapy and should include the father if at all possible. This will help so that outside services beyond counseling are not needed immediately. The fact that Padma did manage to get Hritek to come to counseling is a good sign…